Welcome back, Trev. Thanks for the list. It's quite obvious that most distributors don't employ that technology; after all, there isn't a need when niche films are in question. "Pathe," however, is one whose discs (at least the new releases) aren't macro-free.

Also, I came across this article in "The Guardian" recently. I truly hope that it doesn't become a cause for concern.

Act, Knatchbull acquire UK distributor Artificial Eye :

In a further shake-up to the UK distribution market, Artificial Eye Film Company, for 30 years the UKs leading distributor of arthouse and foreign language films, has been acquired by Act Entertainment Group, owner of Curzon Cinemas, and Knatchbull Communications Group.

Terms of the acquisition were not released.

Set up in the mid-1970s by Pam and Andi Engel, Artificial Eye owns a library of more than 200 films as well as two first-run cinemas in central London, The Chelsea Cinema and The Renoir.

It has long been the doyen of UK arthouse distributors, handling work from such renowned filmmakers as Robert Bresson, Claude Chabrol, The Dardenne brothers, Eric Rohmer, Krzysztof Kiewslowski, Andrei Tarkovsky and Alexander Sokurov.

Robert Beeson will stay on as managing director of Artificial Eyes distribution company and Pam Engel will remain as a consultant.

Artificial Eyes cinemas together with the Curzon Mayfair and Curzon Soho and the Richmond Filmhouse will be absorbed into a new subsidiary, giving the group nine screens on five London sites.

Andi and Pamela Engel have created a unique, quality brand, said Roger Wingate, who owns Act. Philip Knatchbull and I feel honoured to carry the torch from now on. Artificial Eye is now the leading UK label for foreign films. With their distribution expertise and our plans to diversify and grow the group through new digital platforms we will make this an internationally recognised brand leader.

This is the third takeover of an independent UK distributor in recent months, following on from Lionsgate's acquisition of Redbus and StudioCanal's takeover of Optimum.

New Yorker had it on their old vhs tapes as well. Quite infuriating, but if you go back and check, they used to sell anywhere from $50 - $75. It's understandable why Criterion does it. Most others don't, since they don't feel that there is an issue, and rightfully so.